The track/road via Urt Moron to the crossroad far south of Korla is more or less uninhabited. And by now very hot and dry. With hardly any cars on the track the only way to survive would be to stop each and every and beg for water. And later on also food.(Not beeing selfsupported is cheating in my book.) What would you do if for some reason there would not be any cars on a very hot desert day?

You think bon. is bad,but "mild" dehydration is ten times worse. Severe dehydration will kill you.

The Golmud-Dunhuang-Urumqi road is fairly "safe". By getting your visas in Urumqi,Almaty and Bishkek you will also make up for lost time so you can be back on track timevise in Kyrgystan or Tajikistan.

Ed, I found your blog about a month ago. Love your photos, your reports and even your occasional sparring with Asmund. Despite all the hardships don't forget to have fun out there. Tailwinds from a fellow traveler;)))